A Day Worth Remembering

In my book, today was a day worth remembering - one full of blessings - one that could so otherwise have gone utterly pear shaped!  But it didn't.


To begin with I was up until 1.30 am last night (or is that this morning?) and found it really hard to settle from sheer excitement and was up again at 7.00 am to finish all the patterns and last minute prep for my first ever sewing class.  I have a stinkin' cold right now which has been slowly coming on over the past 3 days and I think it picked today to hit it's peak - well I hope it's peaked - sure feels miserable and I'm still popping pills just to get through it. I think it's a good rub of Vick's on the ol' chest tonight.  And as if all that wasn't enough I was scrambling around last minute for another venue - don't even ask! - or class would have to be cancelled.


I have ALWAYS wanted to teach a sewing class - it is one of my dreams.  Sewing was my first love and it still runs pretty deep.  Might sound soppy but it's true.


With all that has been going on I needed a quick prayer this morning and the saying 'hem your day in with a little prayer and it will not unravel' comes to mind.  Appropriate too since we were sewing!  It could so easily have unravelled but faith got me through it. 

Needless to say it didn't unravel.  Hubby managed to find me another venue at super short notice and in my budget range plus I managed to get a hold of everyone to update them.  I usually hate mobile phones but NOT today! Everyone got there, things began to slot into place and it was soooooo worth every bit of effort that I've spent - and hubby's spent over 3 days running up to today.  Turns out he's pretty good at tracing and cutting out patterns as well as the usual setting up tables and clearing it all away again.  I couldn't have done it without him and I wouldn't have wanted to either.  Love that man :-)

We made up a total of 7 patterns in all - 3 turbie (2 sizes included) and 4 box bag patterns (3 sizes included).  This might not sound like much but I had to print and stitch the pattern pockets, type and print off instructions for each, draw, cut and mark up pattern pieces plus create samples and photograph the process to create a 'pictorial' and then save them on to CD.  There may only have been 5 ladies in class - one cancelled due to a cold - I know just how she feels right now :-( but I also sold 2 patterns on top plus took an order for another one for Monday.  Believe me when I say that's a whole lot of work!

But when I look at these photos of the girls busy at their machines and I think about the pretty things they created, I feel really happy because I had some small hand in that.  Not a single person went home without having finished their project and I had some REAL beginners in class.  I love Sara's sewing box BTW.

Jilly was among those, bless her, and since she was late getting there she also had to play catch up as well.  But even she made it home with a finished project.  This was the first time I had seen her wearing the apron I made her last Christmas.  This is one of the next class projects.

I plan to deliberately keep classes small so that I can give more attention to everyone and 5 was a good size.  I could manage 6 but I'm not sure I'd like to teach 2 different projects in the same class to more than that.

Today's class was either a turbie towel head wrap or a box based bag so I divided the tables by projects.  It was a nice opportunity for me to have Pauline along.  We work opposite each other throughout the week and I felt honoured that she was in one of my sewing classes.  She quilts and sews and is extremely good at it - I've seen her quilts and they're just beautiful.  In fact she showed up with a pretty patchwork bag and this sewing machine mat - which by the way I just loved!  I am sooooo going to add in another class with something similar.

Pauline worked with a really pretty floral and gingham style fabric which made up the smallest size bag beautifully.  It had a lovely 'old fashioned' feel to it.

Sara chose the turbie project and here she is modelling it.  I love this shot cos she looks just like a 1940's - 1950's mum in her pinny and headscarf (turbie).  I should've taken a closer shot of her turbie because it was a really pretty Amy Butler fabric - no wonder it looks so glam!

Susan also made up a turbie and yes of course she had to model hers too.  Sorry girls but you know I can't do classes without my camera coming out at some point, sad person that I am I know.  You were all great sports.  I did of course model the turbie myself at the start of the class but ha, ha - nobody had a camera out at the time.  Otherwise I might've been in this post too.

And I think I was most impressed with Kay today out of everyone.  She is a dark horse ya know.  I thought I might have to hold her hand throughout class - mostly cos she kept telling me she couldn't sew -  but nope!  She rose to the challenge and exceeded it!  She did a fantastic job with her pretty little pink bag.  And since this already has a recipient to go to the gift giving has already begun - yay!  That was the whole idea.

And this is Jilly's sweet little bag - a really different fabric choice (repurposed curtains would you believe?) but you know what?  Now that it's made up it's sooo Jilly.  She made the medium sized bag with longer straps so she could take her lunch AND her uniform to work.  I just love that she's gonna be using it right away.

Up until a couple of days ago I really didn't know whether or not classes would run so I decided to ask God to bless this venture.  It wasn't long after that there was a sudden flurry of ladies booking on, one after the other and even one this morning - hence the madness with getting patterns made up in time.  I may not have done much sewing myself today but I was in my element watching everyone else sew.  Oh why couldn't I have been a home economics teacher? 

Then because I was tired and hungry when I finally got home - I think the day was catching up with me (or the pills wearing off) AND because he had just been the best sweetheart of a man - I took hubby to dinner to say thank you.  Nothing fancy - we're not fancy people - just pizza and salad at Pizza Hut but the down time together was still nice.  And as we were tucked away in the corner we took time out to bow our heads and give thanks before we ate - much the same as we do with every meal at home - which felt absolutely the right thing to do after a day full of blessings. 

And as if that wasn't enough, He even provided a beautiful rainbow to lead us home afterwards.  Well actually this is God we're talking about he provided a 'double' rainbow - one for each of us - I was sure mine was the bigger, brighter one LOL!  I just couldn't get them both into shot at the same time but they were there - trust me. 

Did anyone else see these today?  I can't remember the last time I saw one but I stood outside with hubby and admired this one until our neighbour came out and joined us and it was awesome.  God's very much present in our lives right now, leading us both to a new church and when they sang one of the songs last Sunday that we had at mom's funeral - who was very much on our minds - the first year has only just passed - I couldn't help but feel a real sense that He was with us as He always is if we stop to notice. 

Today I stopped to notice.  Maybe that's the real reason why I feel so blessed by today. 

Then again there are also a whole lot of lovely people in this world and today I got to spend a few hours with some of them so a big THANK YOU goes out to you all and especially to Sara who urged me to book dates and teach sewing classes.  Sometimes, just sometimes, I need a push and you were so supportive.  I forgot to tell you how much I appreciated it Sara.

I hope everyone else was blessed by today too.



Big HUGS

Suezie

Pretty Patterns

I have been off today getting geared up for my first ever sewing class due to take place this Saturday.  I am supplying patterns as well as the tuition and I wanted to make them somewhat special since they're all handmade.  The class fee of £16 (£15 for 2 or more) may seem like a lot especially when you consider you have to buy your own fabrics and supply your own sewing machine but these type of classes can go for upwards of £25 in the store!  I know - I checked it out so I wanted to feel I was offering value for money.

Do you remember these?

I made these paper sack pockets for gifts earlier this year and I soooo wanted to make something megga pretty like this for my patterns but I would've had to fold the pattern pieces up so small to make them fit plus due to the 'pictorial' CD I'm including I was quickly running out of time.

Instead I came up with these.  I used pretty 12 x 12 papers to create stitched pockets and cut around them with pinking shears so they'd look like a fabric swatch.

I stitched on the printed pattern front with photo and added punched tabs so I could tie them closed with ribbons and add a lovingly 'handmade' tag to finish them off.

I think I could happily offer these patterns in their own right at some point and I may make a few extra available in class.  Even I don't have pretty pockets like this for my own patterns!  I stitched a back panel I created which gives a description, sizes, pattern pieces, fabric types and yardage details so it would look and feel more like a real pattern.  Which of course it is - albeit homemade - silly me LOL!

Each pattern includes pattern pieces for one or more sizes and written instructions as well as a 'pictorial' CD.  No way was I gonna be able to cost effectively produce the umpteen photos I wanted for the step by step.  It's bad enough that I was trawling around the various grocery stores yesterday evening trying desperately to find printer ink.  I ran out and it ended up costing £40 would you believe?

So as a result you ladies will just have to be content with the CD but I have tucked a few hand stamped 'handmade' tags in each pattern pocket for you which I hope makes up for it.  There will be 4 of you on Saturday's class which is a nice little number to begin with and I'm beginning to get really excited as it gets nearer. 

I will be teaching two different projects.  I could only fill half the class with the turbie project and there were ladies who wanted to make a bag so I decided to offer one or the other of these two projects but teach them both in the one class.  The turbie has two sizes - child and adult and the bag has 3 sizes small, medium and large which is a good craft size bag.

There is still time if anyone wants on this first class.  The second class is likely to be 2 projects as well - a craft apron or simple patchwork pillow which will teach basics of pillow making too.  After that it's likely to be the rag quilt class followed by a rag quilted bag. 

You know how to contact me if you're interested.  Watch for an update on how things went - wish me luck!

Hugs

Thinking of Family

Sorry - this is NOT a craft post.

Just wanted to share some pictures with family and to take a moment to let everyone know our thoughts are very much with you guys right now.  We're approaching the 1 year mark since mom died which is sooooo hard to believe despite being a fact. 

It's also a fact that life goes on - even on the days we don't feel we want it to and it's been tough getting on with it at times.  We had originally planned to go be with family right now but decided to hold off until next year maybe.  We settled for sending flowers instead of ourselves (so hope you guys got them ok).  Hope it was a nice surprise too.  Some good friends had kindly left a surprise package for Dave and I when I got home from work yesterday which cheered me up no end and was super sweet of them.  Isn't that just such a lovely thing to do?  I love Random Acts of Kindness.  You never know what someone is going through and often they come just at the right time.

Anyhow we had taken to visiting mom as often as we could over the past few years or so and as most of us kids are now getting older I hope we'll still try to visit one another as often as we can.  It's a LONG haul flight (and then some) and I know it gets harder to do, the older you get, so with everyone somewhere around the 50's mark these are maybe the best years to be makin that trip.  I hope you guys back home are taking note!

I don't much care for flying.  I like my feet firmly on the ground thank you. Mom was the main reason I made that trip soooo many times - I really miss her :-(  I think I need to make that trip next year or I'm in danger of not making it again.

Okay - enough being glum or I shall cry - like I say 'life goes on' and there are plenty of good days still to be had.  Mom would be the first to say that. 

Last weekend was one such day for Dave and I and we all enjoyed it so much.  We hadn't spent much time with the grandkids over the summer and I felt we were long overdue a day out together to make up for it.  As they get older and more involved in things at school, their lives become busier so there are less opportunities to spend quality time with them.

We kept them in the dark about the destination - all they knew was that we had packed a picnic lunch and it was a long drive.  I love surprising them and I think Grandma did a fab job at keeping them occupied in the car playing games along the way - even if I do say so myself :-)  All part of the adventure!

We were headed for the 'maise' maze at Southwold for the day and maybe take in the sea while we were there.  If you've never done a maze like this - DO!  It's not very expensive and it's good old fashioned fun.  The kind where the kids have to get involved - not a mechanical ride or other such attraction in sight - just plain ol' curiosity, exploration and family fun at your own pace. 

There was of course plenty of discussion about which direction we should go and sorry Papa but your map reading skills were crap!  We were all over the place!  And at one point these guys ganged up on me and deliberately helped me get lost so they could have even more fun!  Meanies that they are.  But Grandmas are made of stronger stuff - I can take it - they thought it was hilarious!

This is about as good a shot of Zach as I managed in the maze.  He insists on wearing his hood over his head no matter what and without mom as an excuse I simply can't tempt him to pose for me anymore.

In fact once the maze was over and we explored the children's play areas he refused to go on this giant 'bouncy pillow' saying - "that's for little kids, I am almost a teenager you know Grandma"  Imagine that at 11 years old would you?  Although when they came for dinner last night mummy did remind me he's 12 in 6 months time so it's not quite so far fetched I guess.  Maybe he's a 'teenager in training' lol. 

Maddy had a blast tho'.  The kids have a trampoline in their back yard and they're not afraid to use it so Maddy and Kaleb were in there like a shot.  And as you would expect it didn't take very long for Zach to realise they were having way more fun than he was and maybe he should give up the 'older kid' routine and just go have fun too.  Kids are just so funny aren't they :-)

These guys can do a whole load of bickering with each other like most kids do now and then and a younger sister can be a real pain but we don't allow that on our time together.  It was especially nice then to see them all getting along and helping one another out.  Kaleb was a real sweetie and pushed Maddy all the way around the maise track more than once.  Hopefully some day they'll realise just how lucky they are to have each other - catch em on a good day and they'll probably tell you that but that kind of good day is rare I can tell you.

And although mummy wasn't with us - she wasn't totally excluded from the day either.  We ended our day on the beach at Southwold and once the kids got to writing in the sand it wasn't long before one of them thought about creating a 'mushy' message for mummy.  Naturally it was Zach. 

It's hard to describe the relationship between him and his mother sometimes but they are deeply connected and have been through a lot together.  Maybe I should put several of these pictures in an album for her and get the kids involved in it somehow.  Christmas is only around the corner.  HUSH MY MOUTH!  Did I really say that out loud? Less than 4 months now you know :-) LOL!

Zach is a sensitive guy and has always had a soft spot for his younger sister.  In fact when he went away to camp with Papa this year Maddy took to sleeping in his bed she missed him so much.  Zach could always make her laugh when she was a baby so a deep bond quickly developed between them.  I think he was secretly pleased she missed him enough to sleep in his bed till he got back home.

Anyhow once down at the shore line if she wasn't grabbing for his hand then he was grabbing for hers, instinctively taking care of her and he was happy to do so.  They had WAY MORE fun chasing the waves than I expected and HECK we could've spent hours here, never mind the maze.  Them playing and us watching them - although I did get caught out when I turned my back on the waves while searching for the perfect rock to take home to mummy.  All of a sudden I heard shouts of "Grandma! Grandma!" but TOO LATE.  I got soaked - shoes an all LOL!  I squelched my way all along the pier afterwards too but then Kaleb had fallen in so he was pretty wet as well.  Oh well - it's only a bit of water.

Southwold may not be a great looker as seaside goes - I could think of better -  but it has a lovely sandy beach and pretty rows of beach huts.  The amusement arcade on the pier is pretty small too so it made for maybe a good half hour or more of fun which is just enough. I loved that you win tickets on the slot machines and it's pretty easy to win so that once everyone exchanged their tickets for prizes they all came away having won something.  I'm all about being fair when we get together with these guys ya know.

 

And Debbie - if you're lookin in at my blog - this one's for you.  Here is your God-daughter minus her long locks and looking much older than I've ever seen her before.  She will be 7 in 5 months time do you believe?  I'm getting used to her having shorter hair.  Zach still refuses to have anything more than a trim - he likes his hair longer and Kaleb has gone back to a 'boys' hair style instead of the close cropped hair he's had for the past few years.  Kaleb has a real head of 'Howard hair' - lusciously thick and soft - you know 'run your fingers through it ' kinda hair LOL. 

And last but not least these fab sunflowers were for sale on the journey home - one of those stands at the end of someones garden along with an honesty box - just £1 a bunch which was pretty amazing!  I love looking out for these on a country drive.  These ones went home to mummy so she didn't miss out on all the treats of the day.  They were just beautiful.  I am soooooo gonna grow some of these next year on our plot - imagine leaving these on a doorstep as a RAK.

So I hope you enjoyed 'a day in the life of...' kinda post.  The kids could not stop talkin about it once they got home so I know they had megga fun and Dave and I sure did.  I want to do it all again just as soon as we can.  Maybe it's time we did 'Bewilder Wood' again.  That's a whole lot of 'make your own fun' kinda activity and I don't think Maddy came last time - she was a bit too young to climb, swing and slide.

And to everyone else out there in blog land that maybe checks in with me from time to time - apologies that I haven't posted a craft in a while.  Between our plot, work on the house plus re-decorating the sitting room and bunches of sewing (more fabric carrier bags - nothin new) I have been around.  Just not posting. 

I plan to start my Christmas sewing here pretty soon but on todays agenda it's cooking apples for the freezer, shopping for curtain fabric and a bit more sewing later on if I can manage it.  I will be getting back to crafts at some point I hope so hang in there with me.  For now I'll leave you with one last shot of Southwold Maze, right in the thick of it overlooking from the bridge - this years theme was birds but you couldn't tell from this shot.

If you've never done a maze like this before - put it on next summers 'TO DO' list and give one a try.

Love & blessings to everyone.

Hugs too

Suezie